It's an amazing transformation, from untamed wild horses to competitors in just 250 days.
It all started over two years ago when four brumbies were captured in the northern part of the Kosciuszko National Park, as part of the Nationals Parks' wild horse trapping program.
They were rehomed in the Hunter and slowly acquainted with people, noise, fences and dogs. This settling in period took over two years and it was also important to ensure the mares were not in foal.
They were given over to four trainers to tame and train 250 days ago. Now, they can be ridden anywhere as the photos show them on the beach with trainers Hannah with Gypsy pictured above, and Tess with horse Billy in the other pictures.
The four horses will go head to head to try and win $10,000 in cash a prizes at two horse events at Stroud. It's the brainchild of the Hunter Valley Brumby Association.
Association president Kath Massey, is part of a team overseeing the event.
"To ask people to take care of and train a wild horse for 250 days is massive ask, especially in such a devastating drought, but everyone jumped at the opportunity," she said. "We have just been astounded with what the trainers and the brumbies have achieved in such a short time and we can't wait to see what they have in store for the finals and no doubt the crowds will also be amazed."
The horses have now been acclimatised with the beach - a far cry from the mountain landscape they were born in. Mrs Massey said the brumbies at first had to get used to the smell of the beach, salt and seaweed, and the crashing of the waves. "Now they just love it."
She said the final events of the Brumby 250 Tournament will be starting at the Working Equitation Down Under Nationals at Stroud on the 12th to 14th of April where they will compete amongst the best nationally and judged by both national and international judges.
"They will then compete at Stroud Show on the 26th of April in the led and ridden Brumby classes and Saturday the 27th of April is the grand finale being the freestyle competition where the trainers will use their imagination to showcase everything they have taught their Brumby over the past 250 days."
Hannah Pikkat is one of the trainers from the northern beaches of Sydney, training Gypsy, and until now, had never saddle trained a horse before, "This is has been a fabulous learning experience. I'm nervous about the finals but I'm also very excited to show what the brumbies can do and what I have taught Gypsy," says Hannah who has also opted to keep her brumby after the Brumby 250 Tournament is finished.
"She was the perfect horse I was looking for and after everything we have been through, I couldn't part with her now." Hannah trains mini horses for therapy at nursing homes and also for kids parties. The horses above are shown at a beach on the Central Coast.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
